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Britain's new law is set to remove menthol cigarettes and tobacco from shelves in three years. By May 20, 2020, smokers will no longer be able to buy menthol cigarettes, tobacco and other flavored smoking products. By May 21, 2017, menthol cigarettes in packs or 10 and under 30 grams will no longer be available.

Menthol cigarettes are flavored with compound menthol, a substance that triggers the cold-sensitive nerves in the skin without providing a drop in temperature. The ban will also include tobacco, lipstick-style cigarettes and flavors such as vanilla, strawberry, spice, herbs, alcohol, fruit and candy.

Last May, cigarette packaging became standardized to make smoking less attractive and prevent young people from buying them. Smokers will only be able to purchase a minimum of 30 gram packets of hand-rolled tobacco.

A charity called Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) said the ban aims to lessen younger people from spending more money on smoking. By removing the packets of 10 cigarettes people would need to find extra money for a packet. Cigarettes are expensive and the price increase has helped some people quit smoking.

The Sun reported that at the moment people can still buy packets in 10g, 20g and so on. The increase in cigarette prices aims to hit poorer and younger smokers that are more likely to buy smaller cigarette packs.

All cigarettes are harmful especially menthol cigarettes. It relaxes the airways and the flavor masks the harshness of the smoke. It is a myth that menthol cigarettes are better. This explains why younger people find it easier to smoke menthol, according to The Get Surrey.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarette smoking causes about one of every five deaths in the US each year. It has caused more than 480,000 deaths annually, including deaths from secondhand smoke. It includes 278,544 deaths annually among men and 201,773 deaths annually among women.